Supporting Frame For A Piece Of Furniture

ABSTRACT

A supporting frame for a piece of furniture, wherein the supporting frame includes at least one outer side, and wherein the supporting frame is made out of one continuous piece of material. The supporting frame including several layers, wherein each layer includes one and the same single continuous piece of material in the entire extent of the layer and wherein each individual layer is contiguous with at least a second layer. Hereby, improved manufacturing, a stronger supporting frame and a wider range of useful materials for supporting frames are obtained.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a supporting frame for a piece offurniture, wherein the supporting frame comprises at least one outerside.

Moreover, the invention relates to a piece of furniture comprising asupporting frame, a method for manufacturing a supporting frame as wellas a use of a supporting frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to make a supporting frame for a piece of furniture, such asa chair, a table and a piece of corpus furniture, wherein the supportingframe is manufactured of several individual side pieces, wherein theends of the side pieces, via dowels and glue, are assembled withfurniture legs, and wherein the supporting frame is stabilized by innercorners, wherein the corners are screwed into the furniture legs andattached to the side pieces, for instance with glue, and whereinfittings are mounted internally in the supporting frame for use atmounting of for instance furniture seats, tabletops and corpus.

From U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,295 and DE 2741198, a supporting frame for apiece of furniture is known, wherein the supporting frame comprises anouter side and is made in a continuous material.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to improve the manufacturing of products,so that it will be both faster, easier and cheaper to manufacture asupporting frame, whereby productivity, competitiveness and eventuallyfinances will improve.

Moreover, the object of the invention is to make a stronger supportingframe, which both strengthens and stabilizes the supporting framefurther, and finally the object of the invention is to broaden the rangeof materials applicable for use for a supporting frame.

The basic idea is to go from several separate sides to one single pieceof wood, which is continuous from the onset of the manufacturing of thesupporting frame, wherein the wood for instance is constituted by ablock of plywood, which is subsequently milled out as a solid base. Theveneer can for instance primarily consist of birch or spruce, which growfast, are cheap, less strong but very available compared with forinstance oak, and secondarily the veneer can consist of for instance alittle oak, which grows slowly, is expensive, very strong but lessavailable compared with birch or spruce. Other compositions of veneer isof course also possible, just as other materials, such as plasticcomposites with and without fibres can also be used.

Moreover, the object of the invention is to provide a piece of furniturecomprising a supporting frame, a method for manufacturing a supportingframe as well as a use of a supporting frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, the object stated above isachieved with a supporting frame, as initially described, wherein thesupporting frame is made out of one continuous piece of material, andwherein the supporting frame comprises several layers, wherein eachlayer comprises one and the same single continuous piece of material inthe entire extent of the layer and wherein each individual layer iscontiguous with at least a second layer.

This allows strengthening of the base of the furniture, namely thesupporting frame, as such a supporting frame in one single piece is muchstronger than previously known solutions, wherein a supporting frame wastypically assembled of several parts in the circumference of thesupporting frame, and wherein several side pieces were for instanceassembled via dowels and glue. Prior art typically comprises four sidepieces, which are joined together as mentioned.

The new solution moreover means that a supporting frame can be faster,easier but also cheaper to manufacture, as a supporting frame can forinstance be made out of solid wood or a block of plywood, which issubsequently milled out for a supporting frame. Such a supporting framecan lead to savings of as much as 50% of the mounting time for a pieceof furniture relative to the mounting time for common supporting frames.

If the supporting frame is manufactured of plywood, the materialproperties of the supporting frame will be approximately identical intwo directions, as plywood is made of thin layers of veneer that isglued together with the grain directions crosswise. Another possibilityof obtaining identical material properties could be manufacturing asupporting frame in a plastic composite material, for instance withglass, aramid or carbon fibres for additional strength. Finally, asupporting frame can also be manufactured as mentioned in a hybridmaterial, which could consist of one or more layers of wood and one ormore layers of another suitable material, includingplastic—fibre-reinforced or not, metal and other suitable material.

This makes is possible to manufacture individual layers separately, sothat for instance the bottom is made separately and one or more otherlayers of the supporting frame are for instance made with inner mountingears and wherein the layers are subsequently joined by means of glue,screws or other suitable joining methods. By making several individuallayers, special productions can be possible, wherein a machine eithermakes a series of a specific layer at a time or only makes one specificlayer. How the production otherwise is executed necessarily depends onthe complexity of the present manufacturing machines, availability andso on. A supporting frame can also be constructed by a number of layersof ready-made plywood boards. For instance, the basic element of asupporting frame can be manufactured of five layers of plywood board,wherein each layer has a thickness of for instance fifteen millimetres.The individual layers of plywood board and/or veneer layers can havesimilar or dissimilar thickness.

In a variant of the invention, a supporting frame can be constructed bya number of layers of plywood or layers of veneer or other suitablematerial, and the supporting frame itself can be executed asprestressing and may thus be curved in one or more directions. Oneexample could be a supporting frame for a chair, wherein the top edge aswell as the bottom edge have the same curved shape, wherein the top edgeis for instance concave, while the bottom edge is convex, which offerseven more design options.

In a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a supportingframe, wherein the supporting frame further comprises a bottom, whereinthe bottom comprises one and the same continuous piece of material.

This allows for strengthening the stability of the supporting frame,which becomes more rigid and stable, as diagonal displacement of thesupporting frame cannot arise. At the same time, said bottom canvisually shield from construction details in the supporting frameitself. Such bottom can advantageously be arranged at the bottom part ofthe supporting frame, at the top part or in principle at any pointbetween the top edge and the bottom edge of the supporting frame. Thevisual shield is obviously not obtained to the same degree, if thebottom is at the top edge of the supporting frame. However, thesupporting effect of the supporting frame itself is obtained regardlessof where at the supporting frame, the bottom is arranged.

If said bottom is placed at the top edge of the supporting frame, thisbottom can in principle constitute the seat of a chair or the top of atable. In such a variant, the bottom can have a size corresponding tothe outer dimensions of the supporting frame, but also a size, whereinthe bottom extends beyond one or more sides of the supporting frame forinstance beyond all the sides.

The bottom can advantageously be manufactured in one continuous piece,but can also be perforated or have one or more major cut-outs. Partialpresence of such a bottom will alone lead to increased rigidity in theconstruction of the supporting frame.

In a third aspect, the present invention also relates to a supportingframe, wherein the supporting frame further comprises at least onemounting ear for use in mounting of other furniture elements.

This enables mounting of for instance furniture seats, tabletops andcorpus to the supporting frame. Mounting ears will preferably bearranged so that they are hidden within the supporting frame, if thesupporting frame is solid, the entire supporting frame can constitute amounting ear, but mounting ears could for that matter also be placed onthe outer side of the supporting frame. In the mounting ears, a pockethole or a through-going hole can be drilled. Mounting ears, or in thiscase probably rather mounting holes, can moreover be arranged in thesupporting frame itself.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention also relates to a supportingframe, wherein the supporting frame on its outer side further comprisesleg recesses.

This makes it possible to place the desired number of legs on thesupporting frame.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention also relates to a supportingframe, wherein the supporting frame on its outer side in the legrecesses comprises at least one screw hole.

This enables mounting and attaching the desired number of legs on thesupporting frame via a screw that preferably from the inner side of thesupporting frame is driven through the supporting frame and into therelevant leg. Obviously, this can also be done from the leg and into thesupporting frame, but then the screw will be visible, which in mostcases will not be desirable. The screw will preferably be driven througha corner internally in the supporting frame.

Moreover, on its outer side in the leg recesses, the supporting framecan further comprise at least one dowel hole, wherein a dowel can bemounted for additional support and stability of the leg and supportingframe assembly.

In said leg recesses, other types of means for joining legs to thesupporting frame can be formed, including for instance a groove jointwith fixed or loose tongue.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention also relates to a supportingframe, wherein the supporting frame can also be manufactured of plywood,plastic composite material with for instance glass, aramid or carbonfibres or a hybrid material, which could consist of one or more layersof wood and one or more layers of another suitable material, includingplastic—fibre-reinforced or not, metal and other suitable material.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention also relates to a piece offurniture, wherein the piece of furniture comprises at least one leg andat least one of the following: seat, tabletop, drawer and corpus.

This makes it possible to use the supporting frame according to theinvention for a wide range of different types of furniture, therebyimproving the production etc of the entire piece of furniture.

In an eighth aspect, the present invention also relates to a method,wherein the method comprises the following steps:

-   A: One and the same single continuous piece of material is roughly    adjusted to at least the outer measures of the supporting frame,-   C: The supporting frame is finely adjusted to at least the outer    measures.

This makes it possible to cut out, mill out, process, shape and adapt amaterial to the outer measures of the supporting frame as well as toalso cut out, mill out, process, shape and adjust the same material toany inner measures of the supporting frame if the supporting frame isnot intended to be an entirely solid piece of material. Often, it is theintention to minimize the weight of a piece of furniture, so that itdoes not weigh more than absolutely necessary, and therefore it can alsobe desirable to cut out, mill out, process, shape and adjust a materialto the inner measures of the supporting frame.

In a ninth aspect, the present invention also relates to a method,wherein the method comprises the following step between A and C:

-   B: Several layers, wherein each layer comprises one and the same    single continuous piece of material in the entire extent of the    layer and is joined with at least a second layer

This makes it possible to manufacture the supporting frame of severalcustomized parts which are subsequently joined layer by layer. Suchjoint can optionally be executed as prestressing, wherein eachlayer/parts are forced into an arched shape and joined in this shape,which is thus retained after joining.

In a tenth aspect, the present invention also relates to the use of asupporting frame for a piece of furniture, such as a chair, a table anda piece of corpus furniture.

With a supporting frame according to the invention, a solution isobtained consisting of only a single element unlike a traditionalsolution, wherein four different supporting frame sides, four cornerfittings (often different due to angles etc.) are used as well as anumber of angle braces, which are fixed with screws partly to the innersurface of the supporting frame and partly to another furniture element.With the invention a substantial simplification and hence a substantialreduction of mounting time are obtained. At the same time, largerrigidity and generally increased strength and robustness are obtained ina supporting frame.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a supporting frame with legs in perspective according tothe prior art.

FIG. 2 shows a supporting frame with legs in perspective according tothe invention

FIG. 3 shows a supporting frame in perspective according to theinvention

FIG. 4 shows a supporting frame viewed from above

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a supporting frame from the side

In the description of the figures, identical or corresponding elementswill have the same reference numerals in the different figures. Thus,there will not be given an explanation of all details in connection witheach figure/embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Supporting frame-   2 Leg-   3 Outer side, supporting frame

4 Inner side, supporting frame

-   5 Side pieces-   6 Ends, side pieces-   7 Corners-   8 Fittings-   9 Mounting ears-   10 Leg recesses-   11 Screw hole-   12 Dowel hole-   13 Bottom

14 Holes

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a supporting frame 1 with legs 2 in perspective accordingto the prior art, wherein the supporting frame 1 has an outer side 3 andan inner side 4, wherein the supporting frame 1 has legs 2 and whereinthe supporting frame 1 is made of several individual side pieces 5,wherein the side piece ends 6 are joined with the legs 2 and wherein thesupporting frame 1 is stabilized with inner corners 7, and whereinfittings 8 are mounted internally in the supporting frame 1 for use atmounting of for instance furniture seats, tabletops and corpus (notshown).

FIG. 2 shows a supporting frame 1 with legs 2 in perspective accordingto the invention, wherein the supporting frame 1 has an outer side 3 andan inner side 4, wherein the supporting frame 1 is one continuous pieceof material and wherein the side piece 5 shown is an integral part ofthe entire supporting frame 1. The figure also shows that the supportingframe 1 has four integral mounting ears 9 for use in connection withmounting of other (not shown) furniture elements as well as integralcorners 7.

FIG. 3 shows a supporting frame 1 in perspective according to theinvention, of which it further appears that the supporting frame 1 onits outer side 3 has leg recesses 10 and wherein the supporting frame 1on its outer side 3 in the leg recesses 10 has at least one screw hole11. More dowel holes 12 also appear from the figure. Such supportingframe 1 can advantageously be clad on the outer side 3 with a veneerlayer, not shown, whereby any stratification in the construction of thesupporting frame is covered. If the supporting frame 1 is built up ofseveral layers of veneer or other materials, this stratification willevidently be visible on the outer side 3 of the supporting frame, whichin certain cases may be an intended part of an overall designimpression.

FIG. 4 shows a supporting frame 1 viewed from above, wherein theabove-mentioned integral mounting ears 9, and integral corners 7, legrecesses 10, screw hole 11 as well as dowel holes 12 are viewed fromanother position.

FIG. 5 shows a supporting frame 1 in a sectional view from the side,from which it appears that the supporting frame 1 has a bottom 13,wherein the bottom 13 comprises one and the same single continuous pieceof material, which is integrated with the rest of the supporting frame1. It also appears from the figure that there are through-going holes 14in the integrated mounting ears 9 for mounting of a furniture element.

The top edge of the supporting frame is here shown as a concave abuttingsurface for a furniture element, for instance a seat of a chair. Suchseat of a chair could also be placed in a groove along the innerperiphery of the supporting frame, whereby both the supporting frame andthe chair of the seat can appear as a combined unit with the same outerperiphery.

The figures shown describes the supporting frame 1 as one singlecontinuous piece of material, but according to the invention, thesupporting frame 1 could also consist of several layers, wherein eachlayer is one and the same single continuous piece of material in theentire extent of the layer and wherein each individual layer iscontiguous with at least a second layer. Visually, the finished resultof the supporting frame 1 will look entirely as if it had been made outof one single continuous piece of material.

1. A supporting frame for a piece of furniture, wherein the supportingframe comprises: an outer side extending from a top edge to a bottomedge of the supporting frame, and wherein the supporting frame is madeout of a single continuous piece of material, wherein the singlecontinuous piece of material comprises individual layers providing astratification of the outer side of the supporting frame, wherein foreach of the individual layers, the layer comprises one and the samesingle continuous piece of material in an entire extent of the layer;and wherein each of the individual layers is contiguous with a secondlayer of the individual layers.
 2. The supporting frame according toclaim 1, further comprising a bottom, wherein the bottom comprises oneand the same single continuous piece of material.
 3. The supportingframe according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting ear for usefor mounting of a furniture element.
 4. The supporting frame accordingto claim 1, comprising a leg recess.
 5. The supporting frame accordingto claim 4, wherein a screw hole is formed in the leg recess.
 6. Thesupporting frame according to claim 1, wherein the supporting frame ismade of a material selected from the group consisting of: plywood, aplastic composite material and a hybrid material comprising a layer ofwood and a layer of another suitable material, comprisingplastic—fiber-reinforced or not, metal and other suitable material.
 7. Apiece of furniture comprising: a supporting frame comprising: an outerside extending from a top edge to a bottom edge of the supporting frame,and wherein the supporting frame is made out of a single continuouspiece of material, wherein the single continuous piece of materialcomprises individual layers providing a stratification of the outer sideof the supporting frame, wherein for each of the individual layers, thelayer comprises one and the same single continuous piece of material inan entire extent of the layer; and wherein each of the individual layersis contiguous with a second layer of the individual layers; and a legattached to the supporting frame; and a furniture element attached tothe supporting frame, the furniture element selected from the groupconsisting of: a seat, a tabletop, a drawer, and a corpus.
 8. (canceled)9. A method for manufacturing a supporting frame comprising: an outerside extending from a top edge to a bottom edge of the supporting frame,and wherein the supporting frame is made out of a single continuouspiece of material, wherein the single continuous piece of materialcomprises individual layers providing a stratification of the outer sideof the supporting frame, wherein for each of the individual layers, thelayer comprises one and the same single continuous piece of material inan entire extent of the layer; and wherein each of the individual layersis contiguous with a second layer of the individual layers; and whereinthe method comprises roughly adjusting the one and the same singlecontinuous piece of material of each individual layer to outer measuresof the supporting frame; and finely adjusting the supporting frame tothe outer measures, wherein subsequent to the roughly adjusting andprior to the finely adjusting, the method further comprises joining eachof the individual layers with a second layer of the individual layers toform the supporting frame.